Research and Strategic Learning Manager

Furman University; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Furman University invites applications for the position of Research and Strategic Learning Manager within the Riley Institute. This role oversees applied research, program evaluation, and strategic learning projects, collaborating with institute staff, faculty, clients, districts, nonprofits, and government entities to deliver on time and within budget.

The role blends project management, research, organizational consulting, and strategic learning to advance evidence-based solutions that foster

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Ph.D. preferred in evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, or related social science field.
• Experience managing complex research, evaluation, and strategic learning projects.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building, and client management skills.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate productive partnerships.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research, survey, statistical, qualitative analysis, and project management software.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager for multiple applied research, evaluation, and strategic learning initiatives.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, implementation schedules, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project teams that may include other Riley Institute staff, faculty, consultants, student interns, and community partners.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and proactively resolve implementation challenges.
• Organize project meetings, document decisions, and monitor completion of action items.
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and consistent with quality standards.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare funder reports and project updates.
• Design and manage process, implementation, and impact evaluations.
• Develop evaluation plans and research protocols.
• Secure and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when appropriate.
• Design surveys, interview protocols, focus groups, observation tools, and other data collection instruments.
• Coordinate participant recruitment and data collection activities.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Prepare technical reports, executive summaries, presentations, manuscripts, and other dissemination products.
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for nonprofit, educational, governmental, and community partners.
• Develop scopes of work and contracts in collaboration with Institute leadership.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project implementation.
• Design and facilitate strategic learning processes that strengthen organizational capacity.
• Help develop customized learning materials, curricula, case studies, workbooks, self-assessments, and facilitation resources.
• Facilitate logic model development, theory of change development, strategic planning, and outcome measurement planning.
• Prepare client reports and presentations that support continuous improvement and organizational decision-making.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Applied research

Program evaluation

Written and verbal communication

Facilitation

Relationship-building

Client management

Emotional intelligence

Independent with collaboration

Education

Master’s degree required

Ph.D. preferred in evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title

Research and Strategic Learning Manager

Job Family

Professionals

Contract Type and Hours

Full time

Pay Type

Salary

Department

Research Director

Job Summary

The Research and Strategic Learning Project Manager is responsible for managing applied research, program evaluation, and strategic learning projects. Working collaboratively with other Institute staff, faculty, clients, school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners, the Project Manager ensures projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with Institute, University, and funder expectations. The position combines project management, applied research, organizational consulting, and strategic learning to support the Riley Institute's mission of advancing evidence-based solutions to improve communities.

Project Management (30%)

• Serve as project manager for multiple applied research, evaluation, and strategic learning initiatives.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, implementation schedules, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project teams that may include other Riley Institute staff, faculty, consultants, student interns, and community partners.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and proactively resolve implementation challenges.
• Organize project meetings, document decisions, and monitor completion of action items.
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and consistent with quality standards.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with university and sponsor requirements.
• Prepare funder reports and project updates.

Research and Evaluation (25%)

• Design and manage process, implementation, and impact evaluations.
• Develop evaluation plans and research protocols.
• Secure and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval when appropriate.
• Design surveys, interview protocols, focus groups, observation tools, and other data collection instruments.
• Coordinate participant recruitment and data collection activities.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Prepare technical reports, executive summaries, presentations, manuscripts, and other dissemination products.
• Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for clients and stakeholders.

Strategic Learning and Organizational Consulting (25%)

• Serve as the primary point of contact for nonprofit, educational, governmental, and community partners.
• Develop scopes of work and contracts in collaboration with Institute leadership.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project implementation.
• Design and facilitate strategic learning processes that strengthen organizational capacity.
• Help develop customized learning materials, curricula, case studies, workbooks, self-assessments, and facilitation resources.
• Facilitate logic model development, theory of change development, strategic planning, and outcome measurement planning.
• Prepare client reports and presentations that support continuous improvement and organizational decision-making.

Institute Tasks and Development (20%)

• Assist with grant writing, proposal development, budgeting, and project acquisition efforts.
• Represent the Institute at community meetings with schools, nonprofit organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners.
• Co-supervise student research interns and project assistants.
• Attend all Institute staff meetings and flagship Institute events.
• Pursue professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information, including maintaining up to date information about the department and university.
• Complete performance review process with supervisor to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of research and organizational data.
• Follow safety procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Skills, and Abilities

• Master’s degree required.
• Ph.D. preferred in one of a variety of disciplines, including evaluation, education, sociology, public health, psychology, political science, and other social science fields with completion of graduate course hours in research design, measurement, evaluation, and statistics.
• Experience managing complex research, evaluation, and strategic learning projects.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of applied research and program evaluation methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong facilitation, relationship-building, and client management skills.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to cultivate productive partnerships.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with research, survey, statistical, qualitative analysis, and project management software.

Work Conditions

Position requires simultaneous management of multiple complex projects involving diverse organizations, stakeholders, and data. Most work may be completed in a hybrid work environment; however, periodic travel throughout South Carolina for client meetings, workshops, research activities, and community engagement is expected. Occasional evening meetings may be required.

About Furman University

Welcome to Furman University Employment Opportunities! Furman University is a selective private liberal arts and sciences college committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly-changing world. Furman professors are exceptional teacher-scholars who mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Our strategic vision, The Furman Advantage, promises students an individualized four-year pathway facilitated by team of mentors and infused with a rich and varied set of high impact experiences outside the classroom that include undergraduate research, study away, internships, community-focused learning, and opportunities to engage across differences. Furman University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. The University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where all individuals represent a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities are treated equitably and with respect. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. In keeping with this commitment domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits and faculty/staff affinity groups exist to offer support for faculty/staff that identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Black/African-American. The Furman student experience is supported by a rich network of centers and institutes that includes The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Riley Institute, The David E. Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Rinker Center for Study Away and International Education, The Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection, The Furman Humanities Center, The Shucker Center for Leadership Development, The Malone Center for Career Engagement, The Center for Interpersonal Connections, and our newest addition, The Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society. Furman is located on traditional Cherokee land in Greenville, South Carolina, a racially and culturally diverse community that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has been ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes Magazine. Greenville has a thriving downtown, excellent private and public schools and a vibrant international community. A 20-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and Travelers Rest, which was named “one of America’s coolest small towns.” It is within a short driving distance of Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Beaches are within easy reach.